Soon after the CSO team moved, Allan transferred to Florida, America. Rakesh rolled to the Dominican Republic, and Anders shifted to Rio de Janeiro – RJ, Brazil; the Customer Support Operation office of the Finnish Diesel Engine Manufacturing Company was closed. Most of the engines installed on the customer site were out of warranty; their warranty period has been over therefore the responsibility of handling all claims or damage to the engines took over by the representative, DOER Indonesia.
Dody and Luna, who were originally registered as employees of the Head Quarter, The DOER FINLAND, also moved to the Sales Department of The DOER INDONESIA, which was led by David, while the President Director was held by Marc, a foreigner with Dutch citizenship.
***
As the coordinator of the Sales Support Team, Luna also has roles as a key user of the software, called SAP, an application to process data used by the Company in running the business.
This software is really cool. Once an order is made in the SAP system, the logistics department can immediately make a delivery document, which usually consists of a packing list and a Pro-forma invoice, the finance department can make an invoice, factories in Europe can send a confirmation order, only with a reference to the order number made by sales support in Indonesia without having to retype the content.
Imagine if the ordered items amounted to thousands. Work becomes more effective, there is no double work, and also paperless. All the data are Real-Time. Whenever needed, just enter a certain Transaction Code, and the report will be updated immediately.
Between Sales Support (SS) in Indonesia and Person in Charge (PIC) at the Factory or Product Company (PC) discuss their orders via Chat on the Communicator. If the PIC is opening the order number, then the SS cannot work on the same order.
"Hey please close the order, I have to put in some additional work..." the chat room at the bottom left of the computer monitor is talking.
"Yeppp... Go ahead...." The PC closes the screen on the computer showing the order number, then SS in Indonesia can open it for revision etcetera.
From Indonesia, SS can also check the stock of spare parts on all PCs in 6 countries, and even check the availability of certain parts in all NCs in 70 countries. Real-Time.
If there are any cases such as engine failure or damage for example, and particular parts are needed while in the factory are out of stock, SS can check in which country the urgent parts are available, with one transaction code and one click, the complete spare part appears along with the name of the plant in each country, then they borrow it until the items in the Factory are ready on stock.
With this integrated system, working across continents is like being done with colleagues at the next table.
This is a "unified system, unified way of thinking, nobody to think otherwise. All we're doing is within this file and the history visible in the document flow."
Can You Imagine?"
***
It was still fresh in mind when SAP was implemented for the first time. Luna represents the Sales Department as a Key User. The key user is the person who has the authority to be able to access all Transaction Codes in this system. Not everyone is eligible to access it to keep the system from crashing.
The Finance section has one key user, the Logistics section also has one key user, etc. Each department has one key user. The key user will provide training to the end-user who is indeed their subordinate or team. He or she is the one who communicates the gap between the business processes in the company and the system to be implemented, together with the Consultants.
Consultant Team is an External Company that implements a system from one NC to another.
Unlike installing applications on a mobile phone which is simple, just press 'Install' for less than a minute, and an application will automatically be done. Installing the SAP system in the company must go through milestones or stages that are quite challenging because it involves business processes, and each country has different regulations.
This is where the role of a key user is needed, telling the Consultant how the business processes in Indonesia, such as tax regulations, customs or import duties, payment methods, and shipping methods known as Incoterm from each customer, how about sending goods by air, by sea, method and so on. The language, rules, or commands are then translated by the SAP system in the form of a Transaction Code.
The Consultant Team consists of approximately 7 people working for different modules, there are Sales modules, Finance modules, Logistics modules, and so on. They are a team from different countries. There are Sara from India, Amel from Italy, John from the USA, Anthony from the UK, and the Project Manager, Vishen from Istanbul.
While in Indonesia they stay in five-star hotels. The shuttle office takes them back and forth from the hotel to the office each day. Their elegant and charming appearances are different from the local employee body posture, making their presence become a conversation like celebrities.
Office Celebrities.
***
"So here is the time interval to process data. In week 1 of this data conversion milestone, we check the template and the program. On Week 13 we conduct key user Training. The training will be held in Singapore and Finland. Start week 16 by loading the data into LIT. Local Integration tests. The target is full scope. All material master, customer, and vendor lists. Week 21 loading the data into UVT. User Validation Test. Week 27 Get ready for Production. The quality of this job is the quality of Go Life"
Only 27 weeks? Don't worry. Working with high performers like them is easy, it's an exciting and fun project anyway.
Vishen, the gentleman from Istanbul so smart and charismatic when he conveys the presentation. He speaks firmly and clearly, and the look in his eyes sharply pierces the interlocutor.
"After go-live in Indonesia, where else do you roll out?" asked Luna when the meeting was over, they used to chat lightly during and after lunch.
Go live is the time when the system starts to be active and producing, while Roll Out is a term for starting a new project as a continuation of the previous project.
"Singapore for Total automation, and in 3 weeks I will be in Korea for a JV with Hyundai. Then Dubai for 1 week, flying back to Istanbul for 2 weeks after that will be rolling out South America, with 7 Companies at the same time...in Chile, Ecuador, and Argentina…"
Luna was so amazed imagining what it would be like, to be able to travel to various corners of the world for noble work, who wouldn't want it? What a dream job.
"I think you have the best job I've ever known."
"Oh yeah? Why?" Vishen replied curtly.
"First, you Travel. Travel broadens the mind, raises the spirit, those who travel have fun and see a lot of things that enrich their life...."
Vishen inhaled his cigarette and then exhaled the smoke slowly into the air.
"BUT SOMETIME YOU FEEL THAT YOU COULDN'T LAND WHERE SUPPOSED TO BE LANDED"
His eyes drifted to the smoke in the air.
Luna followed the direction of his gaze, looking at the same sight.
"I see..."
Silence.
"I always questioned, WHY AM I IN THIS WORLD?" Vishen said as he smoked his cigarette again.
WHATTT?
Luna almost choked. Couldn't believe it. It seemed she was dealing with someone with two different personalities. It was unexpected that such a question came out from the most professional, well-established, and seemingly perfect Project Manager for having had everything in his life. Good career, a beautiful wife, smart and funny children, harmonious family.
Turns out this man had the same question she had.
WHY AM I IN THIS WORLD?
"You teach," Luna responded, breaking the silence for a moment. "You lead," she continued. Teaching enlightening spirit, upgrading the quality of people's life. You empowered key users... that's cool!"
Vishen turned his gaze right into the girl's eyes. For a few seconds, they both felt lost. Luna hastily diverted their attention.
"At least I met you, and I have seen Jakarta and many other places on earth," Vishen said then.
"That's not supposed to be AT LEAST. That's something GREAT! And I'm grateful to meet you here." Correct Luna.
Vishen smiled, and the girl found those cold eyes smiling too.
It feels warm to seep into the soul.
***
Luna and other Key Users worked together with the Consultant Team until past midnight for 27 weeks to establish the system in this Company. For Luna, this system is like a baby. Not a day goes by without using this system, in short, no SAP means no work.
Other users often say that SAP stands for Setan Aja Pusing (Satan Also Dizzy). If that's the case, just leave it to the 'dukun', they give Luna the name, SAP' shaman,
"I'm wondering, every time Sap Gui is held by the shaman, it immediately corrects itself, even though she did nothing," Mandar claimed.
Sap Gui means that the app is sulking.
"Use a good abbreviation, Pa, so that it's obeyed." replied Luna, "What if Satan Aja Pusing is replaced by, Sayang Aku Padamu*)." she continued.
The father of five children complied. Even added the abbreviation with the name of the shaman, so he will say, 'Sayang Aku Padamu, Luna'.
Just kidding!
***
*) I love you